Apparatus for increasing efficiency in fluid delivery systems using magnetic fields

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for subjecting fluid moving through a fluid delivery line to a magnetic field is provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of magnets, magnet holders, and encapsulating structures, which together increase the magnetic force capable of being applied to the fluid delivery line due to the properties of the encapsulating structures and, preferably, the magnet holders. The apparatus also contains a novel tabbed magnet holder such that individual magnets may be easily removed and replaced to provide magnetic fields with differing properties, such as a much stronger or weaker field or a field capable of imparting spin upon the fluid.

CROSS REFERENCES

None.

GOVERNMENTAL RIGHTS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fluid delivery systems perform a large but mostly hidden role in modern society. For example, fuel lines pump liquid gasoline to internal combustion engines and pipes deliver water to homes and businesses. Due to their ubiquitous nature, fluid delivery systems have long been the subject of efforts directed towards increasing efficiency without altering the size or shape of previously-installed fluid delivery lines. An object of the present invention is to increase the efficiency in fluid delivery systems using an apparatus that requires no component modification to an existing system.

One of the problems that affect all fluid delivery systems is the scaling, clumping, and/or buildup of contaminants within the fluid delivery lines. These problems are believed to be caused, in part, by weak inherent chemical attractive forces that form a bond between the fluid and contaminants, as well as similar bonds between contaminants in the fluid and other nearby contaminants. Several fluid molecules can bond with a single contaminant molecule, which creates a much larger molecule that is incapable of being normally expelled in certain fluid delivery systems. For instance, when gasoline is contaminated and then burned in an internal combustion engine, the contaminants are left behind as deposits on key engine parts or are expelled along with unburned gasoline via the exhaust system. More generally, these problems manifest as scaling and hard water stains in water delivery systems and as varnish deposits in internal combustion engines.

The area in which fluid delivery efficiency is presently most active and most scrutinized is the internal combustion engine. The perpetual increase of petroleum-based fuel prices continually raises consumer demand for more fuel efficiency from engines and fuel delivery systems. As an added benefit, more fuel-efficient engines discharge less hydrocarbon-based pollution into the atmosphere and create more power using a given unit of fuel. It is an object of the present invention to improve upon a fuel delivery system such that the engine of which the system is comprised is more efficient and powerful and emits fewer pollutants.

Magnets have long been used to affect the speed and direction of charged particles. The strength of the magnetic field required to exert a certain force on a particle depends upon the charge of the particle. The prior art fails to realize this difference, instead providing a one-size-fits-all solution to treat fluids using a magnetic field. It is an object of the present invention to realize that because the molecules comprising different types of fluid have different charges, the magnetic treatment of different types of fluid requires a different magnetic field.

The reason that different magnetic fields are needed for different fluids is that the type of molecular forces at work dictates the charge of a molecule. For instance, water is a dipole, which means that water's two hydrogen atoms form strong, directional bonds with the lone oxygen atom, resulting in strong, oppositely-placed charge densities throughout the entire molecule. In contrast, nonpolar molecules such as hydrocarbons only interact via London dispersion forces and/or van deer Waal forces that cause weak, temporarily induced dipoles in adjacent molecules. Because water's dipole charge is much greater than a hydrocarbon molecule's induced dipole charge, water requires a much smaller magnetic field for effective magnetic treatment than gasoline.

The prior art contains several devices that magnetically condition a flowing fluid and claim to provide benefits as a result of such conditioning. U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,901 (the “'901 patent”) discloses an apparatus that is interposed between a fuel source and an engine. The '901 patent requires disconnecting an existing fuel line and reconnecting the fuel line between (1) the fuel source and the apparatus and the '901 patent apparatus and (2) between the '901 patent device and the engine. The '901 patent contains a deficiency that is pervasive in the prior art of magnetic fluid treatment; the '901 patent inventor strictly teaches and expressly limits the '901 patent to the use of a non-magnetic encapsulation for the apparatus, purportedly for the purpose of “focusing” the magnetic field. However, the use of non-magnetic encapsulation merely limits the strength of the magnetic field to the strength of the individual magnets comprising the apparatus. Measurements of the internal field strength of an apparatus marked as an embodiment of the '901 patent registered approximately 30 gauss. It is an object of the present invention to correct the teachings of the prior art by incorporating ferro- or paramagnetic materials into the encapsulating structures surrounding the magnets in order to increase the strength of the magnetic field acting upon the fluid inside the fluid delivery line.

The inventor also considers the requirement in the '901 patent to disconnect the existing fuel line to be an additional deficiency as the prior art, as the points of connection in a fluid delivery system cause turbulent fluid flow. The '901 patent discloses a fuel line running through the apparatus that is surrounded by three magnets, which abut the fuel line. The fuel line is shaped with facets that allow the magnets to rest flush against the fuel line. The inventor considers the faceted fuel line of the '901 patent to be a deficiency in the prior art because by changing the shape of the fuel line, the smooth flow of fuel between the fuel source and the fuel consumption device is interrupted. The benefits of magnetic treatment, which creates a smooth fluid flow, are therefore substantially reduced due to the turbulent fuel flow through the faceted fuel line. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that allows for the smooth, uninterrupted flow of fuel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,512 (the “'512 patent”) discloses a magnetic fluid conditioning apparatus that has several sets of magnets surrounding a fuel line, with the angles between each magnet in a set being the same such that the magnets form an equilateral triangle, square, etc. The orientation of each set of magnets rotates in a helical manner with respect to the axis that runs along the fuel line. The purpose of this rotation is to impart a spin upon the fuel flow. The inventor named in the '512 patent also invented the apparatus disclosed in the '901 patent and essentially described the '512 patent as an improvement upon the '901 patent. Thus, the inventor of the present invention considers the '512 patent to be subject to the same deficiencies as the '901 patent, i.e., the express teaching away from ferro- or paramagnetic encapsulation materials and the turbulent fuel flow. The inventor also considers the '512 patent to contain the additional deficiency of being a much larger apparatus; each additional set of magnets extends the length of the apparatus. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to impart spin upon a fluid without the need for multiple sets of magnets or for lengthening the apparatus.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,520 (the “'520 patent”) discloses a magnetic fluid treating device that is interposed in a fluid flow line. As in the '901 and '512 patents, the '520 patent device must be connected in two places to the fluid flow line. Additionally, the '520 patent device does not allow fluid to flow unimpeded through the invention. Rather, the '520 patent device diverts fluid around an internal tubular member and claims the resulting turbulent fluid flow as a feature of the invention due to the “mixing” induced by the turbulent flow. The inventor considers any turbulent flow in a fluid delivery system designed to deliver a substantially homogenous fluid to be a detriment, not a feature. The '520 patent also teaches placing the magnets in direct contact with the fluid moving through the device. The inventor considers this an additional deficiency of the '520 patent device due to the likelihood of the introduction of magnetic particles into the internal workings of an engine. Magnetic particles inside an engine attract metallic particles; for instance, most oil drain plugs in automobiles have magnetic tips designed to capture rogue metallic particles. A magnetic particle between moving engine parts has a tendency to grow larger by attracting rogue metal particles, which can lead to engine damage. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a barrier between the magnets of the present invention and the fluid flowing through the apparatus.

The apparatus in accordance with the present invention provides a reliable, non-invasive, non-turbulent, and non-contaminating magnetic fluid treatment apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of the present invention utilizes magnetic fields to increase efficiency in fluid delivery systems. The fluid delivery line forms a central axis about which the invention is situated. The magnets of the invention are positioned parallel to the central axis, and these magnets exude a magnetic field that exerts a force upon the particles moving through the field.

The magnetic force exerted on the fluid moving through the fluid delivery line serves a multitude of purposes. First, the magnetic force breaks weak bonds between the fluid and contaminants and between contaminants and contaminants, thereby preventing clumping and scaling. The magnetic force also aligns the fluid molecules in substantially the same direction, thereby smoothing the flow of the fluid. The magnetic force can also impart a spin upon the fluid, thereby further facilitating the smooth and rapid entry of the fluid into a fluid consumption device.

The factors affecting a magnetic field are such that different magnitudes of magnetic fields are required for different applications of the present invention. Accordingly, the inventor has provided as a feature of the present invention a modular magnet holder and encapsulating structure design that allows the quick and simple replacement of the magnets, the encapsulating structures, or both, which allows the properties of the magnetic field to be greatly altered with ease.

These and other advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description which, when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings, disclose the embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of magnets are held in place by an equal number of magnet holders attached to a ferro- or paramagnetic encapsulating structures using magnet holder tabs, and the entire magnetic treatment apparatus surrounds the fluid delivery line.

FIG. 2 is a section view of the apparatus down the axis of the fluid delivery line shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial section view of line 3-3 as shown in FIG. 2 showing a single magnet inside a magnet holder mounted to a single ferro- or paramagnetic encapsulating structure. This view shows the portion of the encapsulating structure that is mounted facing towards the fluid delivery line to two adjacent encapsulating structures using screws or bolts.

FIG. 4 is a partial section view of line 4-4 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 depicting the magnet, magnet holder, and tabs attached to the bottom encapsulating structure of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The magnetic force exerted on a charged particle depends on the strength and direction of the magnetic field and the speed and charge of the particle. In the present invention, the magnetic force will always be exerted in a direction normal to the central axis. The speed of the particle is determined by a fluid delivery pump. Thus, the two properties that concern the magnetic force as it pertains to the present invention are the charge of the particle and the strength of the magnetic field.

The charge of the particle depends on the properties of the fluid for purposes of the present invention. For instance, water, and particularly hard water, generally contains ions and minerals that have a strong charge. Even water molecules themselves have a comparably strong dipole charge due to the structure of the chemical bond between two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. The charges on hydrocarbon molecules are much weaker and more fleeting than the charges on water molecules, as the only charges on hydrocarbon molecules are typically van deer Waal forces that cause small induced charges. The import of the weaker induced charges found in hydrocarbons as compared to the stronger dipole charges found in water is that a much larger magnetic field is required to exert an equal amount of force on hydrocarbons.

The present invention uses materials to construct the magnet holders and/or the encapsulating structures that strengthen the magnetic field acting upon the fluid inside the fluid delivery line, rather than remaining neutral with respect to the magnetic field. Ferromagnetic or paramagnetic materials were chosen for the property of amplifying the magnetic field in which the ferro- or paramagnetic materials are placed. The choice of materials that amplify the magnetic field allows the use of a smaller, more compact apparatus that generates a more intense magnetic field.

Because the strength needed from the magnetic field depends on the charge of the particles, different applications of the present invention may require different magnets capable of exerting a different magnitude of magnetic force. That is, an application involving the magnetic treatment of water requires a weaker magnetic field than an application involving the treatment of hydrocarbon-based fuel. Also, imparting a spin upon a moving fluid can be desirable in certain circumstances, such as when the fuel delivery line narrows before entering a fuel consumption device; the present invention imparts a spin on a fluid by using a plurality of individual magnets that each exert different magnetic fields. Therefore, a feature of the present invention is a modular system for exchanging the magnets, magnet holders, and/or the encapsulating structures to allow the easy manipulation of the strength and direction of the magnetic field exerted by an individual magnet together with the magnet holder and the encapsulating structure surrounding such individual magnet.

The magnetic field of the present invention acts to evenly disperse the charges in a fluid solution such that all the molecules are oriented in the same direction, which results in smoother fluid flow. The even dispersion of charges also means that minerals and other ions are separated in the fluid solution, which reduces scaling and clumping attributed to bonding between like and unlike molecules, such as fuel and a contaminant, two such contaminant molecules, water and a mineral that easily forms deposits, or two such mineral molecules.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, a plurality of magnets 101 are held in place by a plurality of magnet holders 103 attached to a plurality of interconnected ferro- or paramagnetic encapsulating structures 105, and the entire magnetic treatment apparatus 107 surrounds a fluid delivery line 109. Magnet holders 103 have a plurality of tabs 111 inserted through a slit in encapsulating structures 105 and bent to abut the outside encapsulating structures 105, which secure magnets 101 to encapsulating structures 105. In the embodiment shown, each of three encapsulating structures 105 is secured by means 113 to two adjoining encapsulating structures 105 to secure the magnets 101 with respect to one another. Each encapsulating structure 105 is modular, and the magnetic treatment apparatus 107 is designed to be assembled around fluid delivery line 109. Magnets 101 are aligned with like magnetic poles facing towards each other, which causes a strong repulsive force between individual magnets 101. Therefore, the means 113 by which encapsulating structures 105 are secured to one another must be strong enough to withstand the repulsive force between magnets 101 that is magnified by the presence of the ferro- or paramagnetic material comprising magnet holders 103 and/or encapsulating structures 105.

There are two preferred embodiments of the present invention. The first preferred embodiment uses magnets having substantially equal magnetic fields, magnet holders of substantially identical materials, and encapsulating structures of substantially identical materials such that the magnetic field of each combination of a magnet and encapsulating structure exerts the same magnitude of magnetic field. In this preferred embodiment, the fluid molecules align with respect to the magnetic field.

The second preferred embodiment uses magnets having different magnetic fields, magnet holders of different materials, and/or encapsulating structures of different materials such that the magnetic field of each combination of a magnet, magnet holder, and encapsulating structure exerts a different magnetic field. The difference between the magnetic field strength creates a different magnetic force present at each point within the fluid delivery line, which imparts spin on the fluid.

The present invention has been tested on various applications using various combinations giving different strengths of magnetic fields. One tested diesel fuel application of the present invention in heavy equipment utilized a magnetic field strength inside the fuel line of approximately 1300 gauss, and the present invention provided an increase in fuel efficiency in that application exceeding 30%. Several applications tested in gasoline automobiles utilized a field strength of 300 gauss, and the efficiency increase in those applications was between 10% and 15%. Overall, the empirical results achieved by the inventors indicate an average efficiency savings of 12% across all applications.

The most immediately noticeable benefit of the present invention in gasoline-powered applications is an increase in power. A stock Chevrolet® Corvette® measured on a dynamometer registered approximately 340 horsepower. The same car retrofitted with the present invention registered over 350 horsepower on the same dynamometer.

While the inventor has described above what he believes to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, persons having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other and additional changes may be made in conformance with the spirit of the invention and the inventor intends to claim all such changes as may fall within the scope of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for subjecting fluid moving through a fluid delivery line to a magnetic field, comprising: a. a plurality of magnets arranged around and substantially parallel to the flow of fluid through the fluid delivery line; b. a plurality of encapsulating structures, the material of which is selected from the group consisting of ferromagnetic material or paramagnetic material, which can be assembled around the fluid delivery line without modifying the fluid delivery line; and c. a plurality of magnet holders for securing the magnets to the encapsulating structures such that the magnets are held in place around the fluid delivery line.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnet holders are further comprised of ferromagnetic material.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnet holders are further comprised of paramagnetic material.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the magnet holders further comprise of a plurality of tabs that extend beyond the ends of the magnets such that the tabs can be inserted through slits in the encapsulating structures to secure the magnet to the encapsulating structures.
 5. An apparatus for subjecting fluid moving through a fluid delivery line to a magnetic field having a plurality of magnets, magnet holders, and encapsulating structures, wherein the magnet holders further comprise of a plurality of tabs that extend beyond the ends of the magnets such that the tabs can be inserted through slits in the encapsulating structures to secure the magnets to the encapsulating structures.
 6. An apparatus for subjecting fluid moving through a fluid delivery line to a magnetic field, comprising: a. a plurality of magnets arranged around and substantially parallel to the fluid delivery line; b. a plurality of encapsulating structures, the material of which is selected from the group consisting of ferromagnetic material or paramagnetic material, which can be assembled around the fluid delivery line without modifying the fluid delivery line; c. a plurality of magnet holders, the material of which is selected from the group of ferromagnetic material or paramagnetic material, for securing the magnets to the encapsulating structures such that the magnets are held in place around the fluid delivery line; and d. a plurality of tabs on each magnet holder such that the tabs can be inserted through slits in the encapsulating structures and bent to secure the magnet to the encapsulating structures. 